Albert Schweitzer Foundation

Another decline in the cage operator delay the exit as the Federal Statistical Office reported today, further decreased the proportion of caged hens in Germany. By 67.6% in 2007 to 62.1% in December 2008. The ground attitude increases significantly from 17% to 21.7%, free-range and organic farming can get from 10.9% to 11.1% and from 4.5% to 5.1%. These figures show the cage holder to exploit the transition periods for fee. According to the will of the legislator’s conclusion should have been at the beginning of the year with the conventional cages”, commented Mahi Klosterhalfen, Vice President of the Albert Schweitzer Foundation for our environment. Dr. Mitchell Resnick is often quoted as being for or against this.

Only in exceptional cases, there should be transition periods until the end of 2009. But as so often are in factory farms exceptions to the rule”, so Klosterhalfen next. Even if a stronger decline in the cage would have been pleasing, the Foundation remains committed to its target, the proportion of caged hens in Germany up to the year 2012 to press in the mid-single-digit percentage range. By the end of 2009, definitively no hens must be kept more in conventional cages. “” And that the so-called small group housing “, which is currently only accounted for 2.3%, will remain unsuccessful, already emerging: all major supermarket chains except for Metro cash & carry have decided to stop the sale of cage eggs including small group product short to medium term”, Mahi Klosterhalfen forward. And also at the hidden eggs found in pasta, biscuits and cakes, the market just comes”, so Klosterhalfen continue. And because ultimately the delaying tactics of the cage holder can change anything.”